Eriophyoidea: Diptiliomioptidae

Superorder Acariformes

  Order Trombidiformes

Suborder Prostigmata

Supercohort Eupodides

Cohort Eupodina

   Superfamily Eriophyoidea

        Family Diptilomiopidae (=Rhynchaphytoptidae)

 

Common names:  rust mites, leaf vagrant mites, big-beaked eriophyoids

 

Probability of Encounter: high

 

Quarantine importance: Medium.  The 53 genera and >300 species of diptilomiopids are leaf vagrants that usually cause little damage to their woody hosts other than some browning or rusting of leaves.  Catarhinus tricholaenae Keifer may cause leaf rust on corn and other grasses.  The Big-beaked Plum Mite Diptacus gigantorhynchus (Napela) damages apple and Prunus species.  Members of the genera Rhynchaphytopus and Diptilomiopus are sometimes damaging, e.g. D. assamica Keifer may cause a russeting of citrus leaves.  Currently, no diptilomiopids are known to transmit plant viruses or form erinea.

 

Diagnosis:

• Prodorsal shield without setae or with 2 sc setae

• Gnathosoma large compared to body & stylets abruptly curving ventrally near their bases

• Subdorsal seta c1 absent

• Tibia I without solenidion

• Featherclaw deeply divided medially (Diptilomiopidae) or entire (Rhyncaphytopinae)

• Spermathecal tubes short.

 

Similar taxa.  Immature Tarsonemidae have 3 pairs of legs and a gnathosomal capsule.  Eriophyids and phytoptids have gnathosomas that are smaller compared to their bodies and straight to slightly curved stylets.

 

References

Amrine Jr, JA.  1996.  Keys to the World Genera of the Eriophyoidea.  Indira Publishing House, West Bloomfield, MI.

Amrine Jr, JW. 1996. Phyllocoptes fructiphilus and biological control of multiflora rose, in Eriophyid mites. Their Biology, Natural Enemies and Control, pp. 741–749, eds E.E. Lindquist, M.W. Sabelis & J. Bruin. Elsevier: Amsterdam.

Amrine Jr, JW. & TA Stasny. 1994. Catalog of the Eriophyoidea (Acarina: Prostigmata) of the world. Indira Publishing House: West Boomfield, Michigan.

Kethley JB.  1982.  Acariformes.  In: Parker, S.P. (ed.)  Synopsis and Classification of Living Organisms.  McGraw-Hill, New York, pp. 120-123.

Krantz GW.  1978.  A Manual of Acarology.  OSU Bookstores: Corvallis.

Lindquist EE, MW Sabelis & J Bruin. 1996.  Eriophyid Mites. Their Biology, Natural Enemies and Control.  Amsterdam, Elsevier.